Collapsible container



March 24, 1953 A. E. BRICKMAN 2,632,578

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed March 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 24, 1953 A E, BR|CKMAN 2,632,578

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed March 15,- 1951 V4 sheets-Sheet 2 N5 mm m QQ F'IE-2- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. E. BRICKMAN COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER March 24, 1953 Filed March l5, 1951 j. TMI. l n

March 24, 1953 A. E. BRlcKMAN COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 15, 1951 -EMME Patented Mar. 24, 1953 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,632,578 coLLAPsIBLE oov'rAiNEa.

Alan E. Brickman, Worcester, Mass., assigner to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application Maren 15, 195i, serial No; 215,732

, 9 Claims'. 1

This invention relates to a pallet typeoo'lflapsible container and more particularly to a container suitable for transporting mail such as parcel post and letter mail in sacks. Saving lin cost of handling mail in this manner can be obtained by using fork lift tractors in conjunc tion with pallet type containers which can contain a large amount of mail. If the containers are too high, it is difcult for the workmen to load and unload them. Iftoolow, the available space in a railroad car or the like is not utilized efficiently. The containers should be collapsible so that they will utilize very little space when not in use.

`lt is an object of my invention to provide a collapsible container which is relatively light and can be economically manufactured. Another object is to provide such a container in which packages close to the `bottom thereof are readily accessible.

Still another object is to provide such containersvv which can be placed one on top of the llhel;

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is an end elevation of the container;

Figure 2 is a view taken on the line IIf-II o f Figure i showing the ends of' the container partially collapsed;

Figure 3 is an end elevation with parts out away showing the container i-n collapsed posi;

tion;

FigureV 4 is an enlarged plan view of a corner leg member;

Figure 5 is a view taken on the line V'-V of Figure 4;

' Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing 'the corner leg member in elevated position;` `Figure 7 is an enlarged View of a section of the container including the top corner plate;

Figure 8` is a view taken on the line VIII-N111 f Figure 7; Egure 9 is 'a view taken on the line IX-I-IX f Figure 7; and

Figure l() is a view showing one container about tobeplaced on top of another. Referring more particularly to the' drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicatesa leg member for the container. There are four of these mem# bers, one at each bottom corner of thecontainer. As shown in Figur-es 4', 5 and 6, each of these corner members 2 consistof a vertical plate member 4 bent into the shape shown with its ndsbdnnected at the'top by means 'of a" bar 5.'

2 A flat plate E is welded to the bottom of plate member 4 and is provided With an opening 8 therein for slidably receiving a tubular member It which has a bevelled lower end l2. A wire I4 is welded to the member it adjacent its top and limits the downward movement of the member i9* by engaging a pipe I6 which is welded tc the top of plate 6. The leg members 2 are connected by means of bottom side member I8 extending along the length of the container and bottom end members 2li extending along each end of Athe container. A Welded wire fabric base member 22 is Welded to the side and bottom membersV i8 and 2D. A two-part Welded wire fabric end member 24 is pivotally connected to each bottom end member 2l) by means of hinges 26. The hinges 26 may be of any suitable type but are preferably formed so that the pin member of the hinge is easily removed. The bottom section 28 of each of the end members '24 is connected to the top member 30 by means of a hinge 32. The top section Sil is of considerably greater height than the bottom section 28 so that it cannot be readily folded inwardly but must be folded on the outside of section 26. By using this construction there is no danger of the section 3D being folded inwardly to permit loading of the lower part of the container and then finding it impossible to raise the top sec-l tion 3E] Without removing at least part of the packages from the container. A welded wire fabric side member 34 is pivotally connected to each bottom side member I8 by means of hinges 36 which are also preferably of the type having a readily removable pin to permit easy replacement of Va damaged side member. Each vertical edge of each wire fabricside member 3A has an inwardly facing channel or U-shaped member 38 fastened thereto. The flanges of the channel member 38 are partially cut away atv All adjacent the hinges 32 to permit folding down of the top section 30 while retaining the bottom section in vertical position. A latch 42 is secured to each vertical edge of each side' member 34 at a point slightly below the top of the bottom section 2S when in vertical position. A top corner member 44 is supported by the top corners of eachV of the Wire fabric side members 34'. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, each of the top corner members illlconsists of a Ushaped plate 46 which has a hole 4therein of a diameter slightly greater than that of tubular member l0. The longer leg 50 of the member 46 iscut away at 52. A pair of bent plates 54 are welded vto the legs of the U-shaped member 46 in spaced apart relationship. As bent, the plates 54 provide a narrow throat 56 between the legs of the member 46. In dismantled position the member 44 assumes the broken line position shown in Figures 1 and '7, in which position it surrounds the top wire of the side member 34. The Width of each of the plates 54 is such that it can be located between the vertical wires of the side member 34. A stud 58 is welded to the top wire of each top' section 3l) adjacent the top thereof.

When the container is collapsed as shown in Figure 3, the end members 24 are folded inwardly until they rest on the bottom fabric 22 with the bottom sections 28 beneath the top sections 30. The length of the container is such that the one end section does not interfere with the other end section. One of the side sections 34 is then moved downwardly on top of the end members 24 and the second side section is laid on top of the rst side section. Since the hinges 38 are located above the hinges 25, the entire fabric lies flat as shown in Figure 3.

In assembling the container for use, one of the side sections 34 is raised to a vertical position and the lower section 28 of one of the end members 24 is raised to a vertical position with its ends being received in the channel 38 of the vertical side member. The latch 42 is then slid over the end wire of the lower section 28 to lock the side member and the end member together. The lower section 28 of the other end member is then positionedl in the same manner in the channel 38 at the opposite end of the vertical side member. The second side member is then raised into position and the lower sections 28 fastened in its channels 38. If desired, the container can be loaded part way with the parts in this position so that the workman need not lift the packages as high nor let them drop as far as when the entire ends are in position. If the container is to be lled to the top, the top section 38 of one of the end members is then raised and its ends positioned in the channel members 38. The top corner plates 44 are then V moved from the vertical position shown in broken lines in Figuresl and 7 to the full line horizontal position. The cut-out portion 52 receives the top bar of the end members thus permitting member 44 to assume a horizontal position. The flange 58 fits over the member 58 to lock it in place. After both top sections 38 are so positioned, the container can be filled to the top.

In many instances it is desired to stack one container on top of another in order to utilize all the space in a railroad car or the like. This is accomplished in the following manner.

The forks F of a fork lift tractor are inserted beneath a container which is then raised into a position above a second container as shown in Figure 10. When a container is lifted from the ground the bottoms of the slidable members I0 drop below the plate E. These members I8 are then received in the openings 48 to firmly position one container on top of the other. The top container can be removed in the same manner by means of the fork of the fork lift tractor. In removing the packages from the container, the top section 38 of one or both of the end members may be moved downwardly and outwardly about the hinge 32 after the top corner members 44 have been moved to the broken line position. The cut-out portions 48 in the flanges of the channel members 38 permit this movement while the latches 42 lock the lower sections 28 in verticalposition. Y

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members,

' an inwardly facing U-shaped member fastened to each vertical edge of each wire fabric side member, a two-part welded Wire fabric end member pivotally connected to each of said bottom end members at a different level than the pivot connection of the wire fabric side member, a hinge connecting the top and bottom sections of said welded wire fabric end members, the top part of each wire fabric end member being of greater height than the bottom part, the vertical edges of said wire fabric end members being receivable in said U-shaped members, means for holding the bottom Wire fabric end members in said U-shaped members, and means for holding the top wire fabric end members in said U-shaped members.

2. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a vertically slidable member mounted on each leg member, the lower part of said slidable member being movable from a point level with the bottom of the leg member to a point below the bottom of the leg member, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric-side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members, an inwardly facing U-shaped member fastened to each vertical edge of each wire fabric side member, a welded wire fabric end member pivotally connected to each of said bottom end members, the vertical edges of said wire fabric end members being receivable in said U-shaped members, a top corner member supported by the top corners of each of said wire fabric side members, said top corner member including two connected spaced apart plates surrounding the top wire of said wire fabric side member, each of said top corner members having a slot in one end adapted to receive the top wire of said wire fabric end members when arranged in a horilzontal position, each of said top corner members having an opening therein adapted to receive the vertically slidable member of a second collapsible container.

3. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg memberV at each bottom corner of the container, a vertically slidable member mounted on each leg member, the lower part of said slidable member being movable from a point level with the bottom of the leg member to a point below the bottom of the leg member, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg mem-l bers, a welded' wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members, an inwardly facing U-shaped member fastened to each vertical edge of each wire fabric side member, a two-part welded wire fabric end member pivotally connected to each of said bottom` end members at a different level than the pivot connection ofthe wire fabric side: mem*- ber, a hinge connecting the top and bottom sections of said welded Wire fabric end member, the vertical edges of said Wire fabric end members being receivable in said U-shaped members, means for holding the bottom section of said wire fabric end member in said U-shaped members, a top corner member supported by the top corners of each of said wire fabric side members, said top corner member including two connected spaced apart plates surrounding the top wire of .said wire fabric side member, each of said top corner members having a slot in one end adapted to receive the top wire of said wire fabric end member when larranged in a, horizontal position, each of said top corner members having an opening therein adapted to receive the vertically slidable member of a second collapsible container.

4. A rectangular collapsible container according to claim 3 in which the top section of each wire fabric end member is of greater height than the bottom section.

5. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a vertically slidable member mounted on each leg member, the lower part of said slidable member being movable from a point level with the bottom of the leg member to a point below the bottom of the leg member, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded Wire fabric side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members, an inwardly facing U-shaped member fastened to each vertical edge of each wire fabric side member, a two-part welded wire fabric end member pivotally connected to each of said bottom end members at a different level than the pivot connection of the wire fabric side member, a hinge connecting the top and bottom sections of said welded wire fabric end members, the vertical edges of said wire fabric end members being receivable in said U-shaped members, a latch mounted on each vertical edge of each of said wire fabric side member ata point below and adjacent the top of said bottom sections and adapted to go over the end wire of the adjacent bottom section, and a top corner member supported by the top corners of each of said wire fabric side members, said top corner member including two connected spaced apart plates surrounding the top wire of said wire fabric side members, each of said top corner members having a slot in one end adapted to receive the top wire of said Wire fabric end member when arranged in a horizontal position, each of said top corner members having an opening therein adapted to receive the vertically slidable member of a second collapsible container.

6. A rectangular collapsible container according to claim 5 in which the top section of eachV wire fabric end member is of greater height than the bottom sectionA 7. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to saidA side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric side member Vpivotally connected to each of said botcorner member supported by the top corners of each of said wire fabric side members, said top corner member including two connected spaced apart plates surrounding the top wire of said wire fabric side member, each of said top corner members having a slot in one end adapted to receive the top wire of said wire fabric end member when arranged in a horizontal position.

8. A rectangular collapsible container comprising a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members, a U-shaped member fastened to each vertical edge of each Wire fabric side member, the legs of each U-shaped member facing the legs of the corresponding U-shaped member on the opposite welded wire fabric side member, a two-part welded wire fabric end member pivotally connected to each of said bottom end members at a different level than the pivot connection of the wire fabric side member, a hinge connecting the top and bottom sections of said welded Wire fabric end members, the vertical edges of said wire fabric end members being receivable in said U-shaped members, a cut out portion in the outer leg of each of the U-shaped members adjacent the position of the hinge between the said top and bottom sections of the welded Wire fabric end members when said end members are raised into vertical position, means for holding the bottom Wire fabric end members in said U-shaped members, and means for holding the top wire fabric end members in said U-shaped members.

9. A rectangular collapsible container comprismg a leg member at each bottom corner of the container, a bottom side member at each side of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members, a welded wire fabric bottom member extending between and fastened to said side members, a bottom end member at each end of the container extending between and fastened to said leg members,`a welded wire fabric side member pivotally connected to each of said bottom side members, a two-part welded wire fabric end member pivotaiiy connected to each of said bottom end members at a different level than the pivot connection of the Wire fabric Side member, a hinge connecting the top and bottom sections of Said Welded Wire fabric end members, the top part of each wire fabric end member being of greater height than the bottom part, means for fastening the bottom wire fabric end member to said fabric side members, and means for fastening the top fabric end member to said fabric side members.

ALAN E. BRICKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: f

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Flint Feb. 2, 1886 Jackson Mar. 31, 1908 Conrad Dec. 10, 1912 Buckhannon Aug. 5, 1913 Johnson May 4, 1915 Stuart Aug. 15, 1916 Beougher Mar. 6, 1928 Olds Sept. 8, 1936 Coit, Jr. July 4, 1950 Phillips May 15, 1951 

